‘Michael’ mania has taken worldwide box office records by storm!

The Lionsgate Michael Jackson biopic was an instant sensation during the opening weekend, scoring the highest box office opening ever for a biopic with $97 million domestically and $217 million globally.

According to a report by Variety, the film’s ticket sales rank as the best start of all time for a biopic, surpassing the record set by the 2015 film, “Straight Outta Compton.” However, the biopic about the King of Pop was not just an opening hit as it also notched the second-biggest debut of the year, following “The Super Mario Galaxy” movie.

“This record-breaking performance is a testament to the incredible filmmaking team of producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, an amazing cast led by Jaafar Jackson’s singular performance, our world-class partners at Universal, the cooperation and support of the Michael Jackson Estate, and our tireless and exceptionally talented Lionsgate team,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said in a statement.

Portrayed by the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, “Michael” spotlights the singer’s rise to stardom from his beginnings at The Jackson 5 in the 1970s until his historic solo career.

Antoine Fuqua directed the first installment of the two-part Michael Jackson biopic.